Would Prime Federer really destroy Prime Djokovic on all surfaces so easily or would the matches be closer?

[Megafanoftennis100]

I hear so many people on this forum saying that Federer of 20 years ago (i.e. the prime Federer) would "destroy" Jannik Sinner "easily on all surfaces."

But then, that implies that prime Federer would destroy prime Djokovic with absolutely no real effort on all surfaces too, because, let's be real, the current version of Sinner is undoubtedly BETTER than prime Djokovic.
In fact, on Mens Tennis Forums, I have heard numerous tennis fans claim that if the Djokovic of 2011-2015 played today, he would become Sinner's pigeon, even more so than what Federer was to Nadal on clay (yes, seriously, look it up yourself on MTF if you don't believe me).
And I, being a Sinner fan, agree with them. They are right. No rational tennis fan would disagree with them.

But if prime Federer can so easily destroy prime Sinner, who is clearly superior to prime Djokovic, then does this imply that Federer's prime is really astronomically higher than Djokovic's prime to the point where all of their matches would be like the RG 2008 final in Roger's favor?

 

[Towny]

 

[gamelovergold]

Prime fedrer vs prime novak .
It would be a very tight contest. Giving Fedrer some advantage but margin are very thin.

 

[Razer]

Prime Federer will beat Sinner in straight sets at Wimbledon.

Only on HCs will the match go long but Federer shall win eventually.

 

[GuyForget]

Prime Djok doesn’t get owned by Nadal like Fed was. And who on gods earth would be against Djoks here in a tie break?

 

[Third Serve]

He wouldn’t absolutely destroy prime Djokovic, cmon lol

One of the sets would be 7-5

 

[Kralingen]

Definitely not so at the Australian or French Open.

At Wimbledon or Flushing though… on the quicker courts of Fed’s peak…

 

[MichaelNadal]

Definitely not so at the Australian or French Open.

At Wimbledon or Flushing though… on the quicker courts of Fed’s peak…

#WithPanache

 

[Sudacafan]

He wouldn’t absolutely destroy prime Djokovic, cmon lol

One of the sets would be 7-5

He would almost destroy him, but he would lose in the end, with a scorecard with less than a 10% break point conversion, like 2/35, with multiple slam championship points wasted included.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Fed on quicker surfaces, Djoko on slower ones. Both would destroy current Sinner of course.

 

[Sudacafan]

Fed on quicker surfaces, Djoko on slower ones. Both would destroy current Sinner of course.

That is obvious.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

That is obvious.

Not so obvious for OP it seems.

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

Fed on quicker surfaces, Djoko on slower ones. Both would destroy current Sinner of course.

What a completely delusional, farcical, ridiculous statement!!
Current Sinner would absolutely destroy any version of Djokovic on all surfaces. It is undeniable.
Even lots of the users on Mens Tennis Forums confirmed this!

 

[Daniel Andrade]

He wouldn’t absolutely destroy prime Djokovic, cmon lol

One of the sets would be 7-5

I disagree

 

[ForehandCross]

Fifteeeeen Fortyyyyy

(Mohammad Lahyani Voice)

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

People on TTW say that prime Federer would easily destroy the 2025 version of Jannik Sinner.
The 2025 version of Jannik Sinner obviously destroys prime Djokovic on all surfaces with ease.

And yet, the match between prime Federer and prime Djokovic would be "somewhat close?!!"
The math is not mathing here...

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

I disagree

Do you mean that the match would be closer than people think or that Federer would beat Djokovic even more convincingly?

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

What a completely delusional, farcical, ridiculous statement!!
Current Sinner would absolutely destroy any version of Djokovic on all surfaces. It is undeniable.
Even lots of the users on Mens Tennis Forums confirmed this!

Stop the trolling it is not even funny or original. Go to MTF then to circle-jerk with the other Sinner-fanboys.

 

[Third Serve]

Stop the trolling it is not even funny or original. Go to MTF then to circle-jerk with the other Sinner-fanboys.

Is MTF even more filled with Sinner bandwagoners than TTW?

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Do you mean that the match would be closer than people think or that Federer would beat Djokovic even more convincingly?

Closer

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

Is MTF even more filled with Sinner bandwagoners than TTW?

Actually yes.

While I do not have an account there myself, I can still browse the threads there as a guest, so I can see all the posts.
Hence, I know.

 

[Third Serve]

I disagree

Ok maybe it would be 6-4

 

[Sudacafan]

People on TTW say that prime Federer would easily destroy the 2025 version of Jannik Sinner.
The 2025 version of Jannik Sinner obviously destroys prime Djokovic on all surfaces with ease.

And yet, the match between prime Federer and prime Djokovic would be "somewhat close?!!"
The math is not mathing here...

What a conundrum!

 

[Megafanoftennis100]

What a conundrum!

What I meant is that I am hearing some very contradictory statements here and there.
TTW users: prime Federer >>> prime Sinner
Objective fact: prime Sinner >>>>> prime Djokovic
TTW users again: prime Federer > prime Djokovic

 

[Sudacafan]

What I meant is that I am hearing some very contradictory statements here and there.
TTW users: prime Federer >>> prime Sinner
Objective fact: prime Sinner >>>>> prime Djokovic
TTW users again: prime Federer > prime Djokovic

Scary.

 

[Turning Pro]

RG 2011 and Wimby 2012.

Post Peak Fed (2003-2007) at Rg 2011 vs 2011 peak 41 match winning steak Djoker.

Then taking out 2012 Defending Wimby champ Djoker who had just reached the last 4 slam finals in a row and won 4 of the last 6 slams too.....

 

[abmk]

Fed on quicker surfaces, Djoko on slower ones. Both would destroy current Sinner of course.

clay is even prime to prime
djoko has edge on slower HC

 

[The Sinner]

Prime vs prime:
On grass Fed 60/40, maybe even 70/30
On clay 50/50
On HC Djoko 60/40
Overall, it’ll be very close, 50/50, and that goes for Sinner as well, as prime Djoko = Sinner.

 

[MichaelNadal]

clay is even prime to prime
djoko has edge on slower HC

Slaybmk

 

[roysid]

Has anyone invented time machine??

If not, why such irrelevant unverifiable threads.
Go with results, that only matter

 

[Krish0608]

Close obviously. On all surfaces. We are talking about two of the most versatile players of all time. It's impossible to predict who could come out on top. Fast HC and Grass, I would say Federer would clearly have the edge. On slow HC and clay, Novak would probably have the edge.

 

[Devin]

Depends on the version of Federer and the version of Djokovic.

Best versions of Federer at Wimbledon (2003-2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (2015) in 4 sets IMO. 2007-2008 would be closer but Federer still gets it done in 5 IMO.
Best versions of Federer at the USO (2004, 2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (USO 2011 SF) in 4 sets. 2005 could go 5 if Federer's backhand goes AWOL for a set. 2007 goes 5 if it's the Federer that showed up in the final and not the QF. 2008 SF/F performance might be good enough to get the job done in 4 sets.

At the AO it's much closer obviously. 2007 Federer (SF/F) above any version of Djokovic (2011 being the best). 2004/2005 are close and definitely a 5-setter and probably boils down to RA vs. Plexi. IIRC Federer's matches in the QFs of both 2004 and 2007 AO weren't amazing though so I'd bet on Djokovic winning in that case.

RG is pretty close. If we're going off of finals performances it's hard to tell because neither put up a particularly good fight against Nadal in an RG final, but Federer may have a slight edge with the 2007 performance. Early rounds Djokovic might have been more consistent though. 4-5 sets either way. Yes I know about 2011 but that was Federer rolling back the years and he never found that form since at RG.

 

[abmk]

Depends on the version of Federer and the version of Djokovic.

Best versions of Federer at Wimbledon (2003-2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (2015) in 4 sets IMO. 2007-2008 would be closer but Federer still gets it done in 5 IMO.
Best versions of Federer at the USO (2004, 2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (USO 2011 SF) in 4 sets. 2005 could go 5 if Federer's backhand goes AWOL for a set. 2007 goes 5 if it's the Federer that showed up in the final and not the QF. 2008 SF/F performance might be good enough to get the job done in 4 sets.

At the AO it's much closer obviously. 2007 Federer (SF/F) above any version of Djokovic (2011 being the best). 2004/2005 are close and definitely a 5-setter and probably boils down to RA vs. Plexi. IIRC Federer's matches in the QFs of both 2004 and 2007 AO weren't amazing though so I'd bet on Djokovic winning in that case.

RG is pretty close. If we're going off of finals performances it's hard to tell because neither put up a particularly good fight against Nadal in an RG final, but Federer may have a slight edge with the 2007 performance. Early rounds Djokovic might have been more consistent though. 4-5 sets either way. Yes I know about 2011 but that was Federer rolling back the years and he never found that form since at RG.

agree with most of this.
I'll add that at RG, fed won in 5 sets vs red-hot delpo whereas djoko lost in 4 sets vs a similar form Stan.
fed obviously won in RG 11.

djoko also had to save 4 MPs vs tsonga in RG 12.

only argument djoko has matchwise at prime is taking nadal to 5 sets in RG 13.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Depends on the version of Federer and the version of Djokovic.

Best versions of Federer at Wimbledon (2003-2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (2015) in 4 sets IMO. 2007-2008 would be closer but Federer still gets it done in 5 IMO.
Best versions of Federer at the USO (2004, 2006) beat the best version of Djokovic (USO 2011 SF) in 4 sets. 2005 could go 5 if Federer's backhand goes AWOL for a set. 2007 goes 5 if it's the Federer that showed up in the final and not the QF. 2008 SF/F performance might be good enough to get the job done in 4 sets.

At the AO it's much closer obviously. 2007 Federer (SF/F) above any version of Djokovic (2011 being the best). 2004/2005 are close and definitely a 5-setter and probably boils down to RA vs. Plexi. IIRC Federer's matches in the QFs of both 2004 and 2007 AO weren't amazing though so I'd bet on Djokovic winning in that case.

RG is pretty close. If we're going off of finals performances it's hard to tell because neither put up a particularly good fight against Nadal in an RG final, but Federer may have a slight edge with the 2007 performance. Early rounds Djokovic might have been more consistent though. 4-5 sets either way. Yes I know about 2011 but that was Federer rolling back the years and he never found that form since at RG.

USO 2011 SF is not the best version of Djokovic at the USO. I also disagree that Fed's best at the AO > Djoko's best.

 

[MichaelNadal]

USO 2011 SF is not the best version of Djokovic at the USO. I also disagree that Fed's best at the AO > Djoko's best.

Yeah Fed's peak level is insanely high at the AO, it's close imo. But it's hard to see him winning against the level Novak brought against Stan in 2013, Nadal in 2012 etc for example, where he had both the shots, offense, defense, and STAMINA that would just get the best of Fed when it went long

 

[abmk]

USO 2011 SF is not the best version of Djokovic at the USO. I also disagree that Fed's best at the AO > Djoko's best.

it is. Only other match comparable vs a decent opponent is USO 12 QF vs delpo.

djoko was serving excellent in the USO 2011 semi as opposed to the final FTR.

 

[Devin]

USO 2011 SF is not the best version of Djokovic at the USO. I also disagree that Fed's best at the AO > Djoko's best.

I have 2007 ahead of 2011 when looking at SF/F although when you increase the sample size for both players then Djokovic starts to come out ahead when looking at more years (let's say 04/05/07 vs. 11/13/16, and the gap grows a little more looking at extended prime of 5+ years).

And even then I don't think 2007 was his best showing in the early rounds at AO. 2005 probably ahead in that regard.

 

[GuyForget]

Yeah Fed's peak level is insanely high at the AO, it's close imo. But it's hard to see him winning against the level Novak brought against Stan in 2013, Nadal in 2012 etc for example, where he had both the shots, offense, defense, and STAMINA that would just get the best of Fed when it went long

Aren’t the surfaces quite different ? Blue court seems a lot slower, I can’t even watch the AO these days

 

[Dane_is_Finnish_OJ]

How many variations of this do we need? Everybody should just move on.

 

[Sport]

Prime Federer will beat Sinner in straight sets at Wimbledon.

Only on HCs will the match go long but Federer shall win eventually.

Prime Federer was losing sets to Roddick, who happens to be an inferior grass player than Sinner.

 

[Razer]

Prime Federer was losing sets to Roddick, who happens to be an inferior grass player than Sinner.

Roddick is a superior player on Grass to Sinner.

Only an ignorant person can say that Sinner is better than peak Roddick on Grass.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Is MTF even more filled with Sinner bandwagoners than TTW?

No idea not there but according to OP it is. Helps to let me stay away from that place.

 

[Racquet_smash]

I think Federer would have the upper hand but not necessarily destroy him.

 

[Cortana]

AO 2012 and RG 2013 Djokovic trashes every version of Federer, in like 3 sets. Wimbledon and USO Federer wins in 4, maybe 5 at the USO.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Ok maybe it would be 6-4

For a dude who I regard as one of the most sensible on this site sometimes you show you also have biases like we all do.
And that's ok.
You are also human.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

No idea not there but according to OP it is. Helps to let me stay away from that place.

Mtf?

 

[Hitman]

This again?

SMH

 

[RS]

Untestable.

 

[paolo2143]

Sorry Prime Fed loses to prime Djokovic more often than he wins.

Saw great post the other day from a self confessed Fan who summed Roger, Rafa & Novak up nicely.

Let's remember that the mythical pime Fed had a big losing record against prime Rafa, heck Rafa managed to even score wins against prime Fed at slams on Fed's favourite surface. However, Roger could not even push prime Rafa to a 5th set, let alone win against him at RG.

Prime Novak managed to beat Rafa way more on clay than prime Roger.

 

[CoolCoolCool]

He'd win most of the time on grass and fast HC, Djoker would have the edge on clay and slow HC.